Six Scouts From One Patrol Earn Scouting’s Highest Rank

On June 12, 2017, Mr. Fredy Reyes, Scoutmaster of Troop 330, and Mr. Joseph Chrobak, committee chair, bestowed certificates of commendation to six Eagle Scouts from the same patrol at the troop’s annual Court of Honor Picnic. Over the course of the 2016-2017 scouting year, the boys completed their requirements for the rank of Eagle. The rank which is earned by less than 4% of all scouts nationally requires a number of achievements, including earning a minimum of 21 badges, providing leadership to the troop and completing an Eagle project approved by the troop adult committee and the regional council.
The new Eagle Scouts are Linden residents Michael Palay, Brian Vieira, and Clark resident Conor Flood.
Nicholas Reyes, Joseph Chrobak Jr., and Kevin Micheludis.
While the troop, chartered by St. John the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in Linden- Clark, has had 108 Eagle Scouts since its inception in 1951, this is the first time since 1966 that six scouts from the same patrol have earned the rank. Moreover, they are the entire patrol. The six Eagle Scouts also received Eagle Charge coins from the two leaders. “It is highly unusual to see this many Eagles from the same patrol,” said Mr. Chrobak, the committee chair.
Both adult leaders have been with the boys since they joined Cub Scouts at the age of seven in Pack 30 also out of St. John the Apostle. When they became Boy Scouts seven years ago, the boys named their group the Cobra Patrol, and they’ve been together ever since. As they matured they became a central part of the leadership of the organization, serving in a number of positions including senior patrol leaders, patrol leaders, quartermaster and den chiefs. “These six young men became central to the running of the troop for several years. They were always enthusiastic and committed to living to the Scout Oath and Law,” said Mr. Reyes.